Well it is October 1st here dowunder and as the sun is rising earlier and earlier that means Summer is just around the corner and... The triathlon and open water swim season is soon upon us. Heading into my 3rd year as Head Coach I am really excited for the 50 swimmers who will be joining me for the 16-week Kirbyswim Rottnest Channel 20km Marathon Solo Squad 2012 starting November 3rd 2011. One question I get asked most often is: "Shelley how do you not get bored swimming up and … [Read more...]
Nothing Great Is Easy… Are you focused on the storm or the rainbow?
I am writing to you from Varne Ridge Holiday Caravan Park on the white cliffs of Dover sitting out my second major storm in two weeks and thought "Well Shelley there is no time like the actual "present moment" ... where goals do not always go according to plan; so we are enjoying the English Channel journey also known as the "Rollercoaster ride of Life". ...and the apt phrase "Nothing Great Is Easy" keeps me calm as I look forward and keep going strong. Life is just like that. You get … [Read more...]
Go easy on yourself! Failure only means…
You are one step closer to success! The Solution to Failure is... to expect it. I am writing to you from Dover Harbour in the UK, as I prepare to guide West Australian, Paul Downie on his English Channel solo crossing (for Breast Cancer Care WA). This past week I have been privileged to witness amazing feats in the English Channel. Earlier today 70yrd old retired breast surgeon, Roger Allsopp of Guernsey, UK achieved his English Channel goal (again) and created a Guiness Book World … [Read more...]
English Channel, Rottnest or Manhattan Island… What is your Everest?
I am writing to you from Varne Ridge on the white cliffs of Dover, overlooking the English Channel with a clear "Sunny" view all the way to the French coast. The memories flooded back arriving into Dover Priory yesterday. Twenty one years to the day when I achieved my Everest; swimming the English Channel solo crossing (27/8/1990) in 9hrs 27mins, becoming the first Western Australian to achieve this feat. It is a formidable sight as I stand in awe of her. The English Channel that … [Read more...]
The two P’s to Achieve Your OWS Goal and The Elusive English Channel!
News Flash!!!!!!!! ....has just been delivered that Ceinwen Williams, the 3rd of the West Australian ChannelDare.com team has successfully achieved her solo English Channel goal. And this is no easy feat! Quick fact: Did you know, more people have climbed Everest than swum the English Channel? It's that tough! Water temperatures of 16 degrees Celcius may sound tough enough to endure for 13hrs... but that is just the beginning ... and for most who attempt the … [Read more...]
It is never too late to start Winning at Swimming!
At the 2011 Australian Masters Swimming Nationals in March in Perth, Western Australia my gal pal, Julie Bradley, competed in her first competition... after only getting proper swimming lessons two years ago. I remember helping Julie at the pool a couple of years back... as girlfriends do. And I am so proud that Julie remembers the no.1 key to swimming efficiently: "“It is really important to get it right at the start because when I mastered the breathing techniques, I was … [Read more...]